I completely can relate to what you are going through. I have Osteoarthritis in both hands, which has been getting worse in the last year. It doesn't help that we are back to experiencing damp, cool weather. I noticed that my hands were very painful today, especially the joints in the right hand fingers. My new Rheumy said that I need to watch the weight bearing I do with my fingers. easy for him to say, since I love to garden!! A big (((((((((((((((((((hug))))))))))))))))))))) to you.

I'm so sorry Joy. Long hot baths help ease my widespread arthritis pain. I've noticed that when I gave up sugar and wheat, not only have I lost a lot of weight and gotten more energy, but my muscle aches have greatly decreased and my arthritis pain has lessened.

Writing is hard so I searched high and low for pens that glide easily.

What has helped the most was prednisone but I haven't taken any for a couple of years, since my lupus started quieting down.

I hope your rheumatologist is able to help you.SLE, fibro, renauds, restless leg?

I don't want to sound like I know a lot but have you tried any holistic treatments? I'm just wondering if there are any out there that might work. Acupressure? I hope you are able to get some relief from the pain!

I can't afford extra therapy right now. I'm trying to get some insurance so I can afford more help for what I need. Maybe in a few weeks once I'm approved. For now I take my pain killers and use my heat wraps. :-]JoyLupus, Fibromyalgia, Glaucoma, Asthma, Hypothyriodism, Sleep Apnea, OA, Depression, Allergies, and benign familia tremors

When life throws you lemons....Pick them up and throw them right back at them! :))

I have a few of those big knots on both index fingers and both thumbs. My right index finger is very misshapen and causes me the most grief. I was told that it was not RA. My RA factor has always been negative. It is my understanding that in some cases of Lupus, especially if it veers towards the direction of MCTD, it can cause joint damage and deformities.

I sure hope you DO NOT have RA. You mentioned that you had picked up the report results, I'm not sure if this will help any, but normally with RA the radiologist would mention and changes caused by the RA.

When I found out that I had RA, my Rheumy insisted that I didn't have RA. I can't tell you how many injections I did for my right thumb. Finally, my RA factor was positive and he sent me for MRI.

The MRI showed that my blood work WAS correct. The MRI showed where the thumb joint was deforming and eroding away. My Rheumy retired and the new one assigned to me started me on Remicade. I did the infusions for like 12 treatments and my RA factor is negative and I haven't changed to much in my hands.

Hope you hear from the Dr soon and they are able to help resolve your pain. Have you tried Tiger Balm, on any of your painful muscles and joints? If not I would suggest you try it, you can purchase a jar at Walmart or Target. It's like $6.00 for a small jar, if you can't manage to get some, and would like to try it, email me and I'll send you a jar fr free. I have a bunch of the stuff, I've used it for a really long time.

My massage therapist back in 1988 started putting on my aching Fibro muscles. I've used the stuff ever since then. Just let me know. Good luck and let us kno how you are doing.

That dry skin is back on my thumb and pointer finger after being gone for a month. Grrrrr! Using steriod cream and Gold Bond on it now.JoyLupus, Fibromyalgia, Glaucoma, Asthma, Hypothyriodism, Sleep Apnea, OA, Depression, Allergies, and benign familia tremors

When life throws you lemons....Pick them up and throw them right back at them! :))